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Best of Athens in one day private sightseeing tour
5.0
2 Ratings
Athens
Explore Athens in 8 hours: Acropolis, museums, local food, and expert commentary. Discover ancient history and vibrant neighborhoods with a private, flexible tour.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Acropolis - Begin your journey at Acropolis Hill, a must-see destination for millions worldwide. Marvel at the Parthenon, the most perfectly designed and widely imitated building in history. Known in Greek as Parthenonas, it is the temple of the virgin goddess Athena, daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods. This site is the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy. Discover the rich history and ancient myths of the Acropolis. Also, admire the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea, and the Erechtheion with its stunning statues of six maidens. On the slopes of the Acropolis, you’ll find one of the oldest theaters in the world, dating back to 600 BCE, and a Roman odeon still in use today.
- Ancient Agora of Athens - Next, visit the Ancient Agora of Athens, the hub of political, financial, and social life. Excavated by the American School of Classical Studies, this beautiful site features the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus, the blacksmith god and son of Zeus and Hera. The site also includes a reconstructed ancient two-story shopping mall, now housing a museum with artifacts from ongoing excavations. Discover ancient pottery, coins, ballots, water clocks, and more. The Agora also contains ruins of government buildings, temples, courthouses, a parliament, a theater, and statues. Walk the same ground as the famous philosopher Socrates. This mostly flat, tree-covered site is a must-visit after the Acropolis.
- Monastiraki - Stroll through the bustling Monastiraki Square, home to a flea market, antique shops, restaurants, and archaeological sites. Your driver will provide tips and help you navigate the area.
- Central Market - Explore the central meat and fish market of Athens. Experience the aromas of herbs and spices from the quaint shops at the market’s entrance. If possible, your driver will park so you can explore this lively market and get a taste of everyday Athenian life.
- The Academy of Athens - Drive by the stunning neoclassical Academy of Athens, reminiscent of ancient temples. Admire the beautiful statues of Greek gods and philosophers. Nearby, you’ll find Greece’s first university and the old national library, collectively known as the Trilogy, built in the late 19th century.
- Plateia Syntagmatos - Witness the changing of the presidential guards, a ceremony held every hour in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This site honors Greek soldiers who died in battle and whose bodies were never recovered. The guards’ traditional uniforms are rich in symbolism related to Greece’s recent history. This ceremony highlights the pride and discipline of young Greek soldiers, who serve for one year as part of their national duty.
- Temple of Olympian Zeus - Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple of antiquity, completed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the second century AD. Marvel at the enormous columns and Hadrian’s Arch at the site’s far end.
- Kallimarmaro - See the Olympic Stadium, built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Unique for its construction from pure white marble from Mount Penteli, the same marble used for the Acropolis, this stadium is the annual finishing line for the authentic Marathon run.
- Mount Lycabettus - Enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from Mount Lycabettus, offering the best vantage point to appreciate Athens’ vastness.
- Acropolis Museum - Opened in 2009 and frequently ranked among the world’s best museums, the Acropolis Museum is built over an ancient Athenian neighborhood discovered during its construction. The museum features an impressive collection of artifacts from the Acropolis, including replicas of items taken by Europeans centuries ago. The museum’s glass design illuminates the sculptures and offers views of the Acropolis above.
- Plaka - Alternatively, explore Plaka, the historic neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis. This charming area features picturesque alleys, shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a great lunch spot. Plaka is vibrant both day and night.
- National Archaeological Museum - This incredible museum spans 8,000 years of history, showcasing golden treasures, statues, murals, pottery, and more. It’s a journey through time and a great alternative to the Acropolis Museum or Plaka.
- Microlimano - If you’ve seen enough and prefer a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, visit the beautiful small port of Microlimano. Enjoy a relaxing ice cream by the blue waters. Your driver will discuss all available options with you. This private tour offers flexibility within the tour duration.
What's Included
- Pick up from your Athens Hotel, Airbnb or Cruise ship
- Expert Athenian local driver fluent in English, quality commentary
- Comfortable transportation with WiFi, A/C, Bottled Water
What's Not Included
- Airport transfers or pickup locations outside of Athens (Additional cost)
- Licensed Tour guide upon request, depending on availability. Extra cost ~300 euros paid to the guide
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Tickets to the sites (Acropolis-Ancient Agora-Zeu’s Temple 30 euros pp Acropolis Museum 15 euros pp)
Additional Information
After many years of experience in tourism this is the best selling option so you can get a full taste of the city of Athens, guided by an expert, fluent in English Athenian driver. He CANNOT enter the sites with you. You will be provided with quality commentary along the way. Learn the history of ancient and modern Athens and the fascinating mythology behind it. Start with going 2500 years back in history by visiting the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. Explore the different neighborhoods of Athens and all the points of interest. Your driver can give you many useful tips. Visit one of the best museums in the world, the Acropolis museum or the Archeological museum. Explore Plaka, the neighborhood of the Gods. Eat the best fresh local Greek food after discussing your choices with your driver. This tour is PRIVATE so there is flexibility if you desire to remove or add something as long as it doesn’t exceed the duration of the tour. We will make sure you will have the most amazing day!
Location
Acropolis
Via Dionysiou Areopagitou Str.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Anonymous
Jul 28, 2024
Spectacular!! - It was an amazing day exploring this beautiful city and it's rich history.
We had only one day in Athens and wanted to make the most out of it so this turned out to be perfect for us. We managed to squeeze in as much as possible and this great tour did not disappoint.
Pick up was on time and we visited the Acropolis first thing before the big crowds arrive. Our driver guide gave as a briefing about the history of it and where to focus and then we were off to explore on our own and take it all in. We didn't hire a guide to accompany us inside the sites because it would be to much information and we really wanted to follow our own pace. Note that licensed guides are freelancers and it's not certain that you will find one and you have to pay them extra 300 euros for the 8 hours so we skipped that.
The way the tour progressed was trully exceptional. We didn't have to worry about nothing. Everything was planned perfectly and our driver guide was amazing. Great driving skills and super knowledgeable. There was not a single question that wasn't answered. Also it was super convenient to have our own private vehicle with a/c because it was hot!
The recommendation for lunch was great.
We saw everything we wanted to see plus more and we had great recommendations on were to go and what to do after the tour.
Overall one of the best tours we had and our driver guide made it very special. Thank you so much for an incredible day.
We will make sure to do another tour with this company when we come back and will definitely recommend to our friends and family!
Review provided by Viator
